Nowadays, music is more obtainable than ever before. For individuals who carry smartphones or tablets with them every place they go, thousands – if not millions of songs – are just several touches or finger swipes away. If you provide care for a senior individual, your smartphone can become one of the most useful tools in your possession in helping an elderly person thrive by awakening his or her emotional wellbeing with music. This widely circulated video recording from the Alive Inside documentary shows just how tremendously powerful music can be as a form of dementia treatment and to help older adults with restricted abilities.

With vast musical libraries obtainable from sources like iTunes, Pandora, Rhapsody, Spotify, and countless others, we can now obtain music, in some cases for free, in an array of styles in just seconds. Caretakers can ask clients or family members what types of music the senior enjoyed throughout his or her life. The music a senior could have appreciated could be particular to a period of time, like Big Band music, or it might be distinct to his or her religious affiliations, such as gospel or hymns. The form of music enjoyed during one’s life can also hinge on the individual’s ethnic background – like those who enjoy salsa or reggae. An older adult may also have enjoyed timeless favorites like jazz, classical, blues, country, folk, and so on. Regardless of the musical preference, accessibility to music could have profound advantages.

Have you ever listened to a song on the radio and it took you back to a specific time in your life? Reports have shown that music is strongly linked to personal recollections. Our brains are actually hard-wired to associate music with long-term memory. This is true even for persons with moderate to severe dementia. Music & Memory is a non-profit company that brings personalized music into the lives of the elderly through digital music technology, significantly bettering quality of life. The staff at Music & Memory teach caretakers for the elderly and family members how to generate and work with personal playlists using digital devices in order to enable those who have dementia and other challenges to reconnect with the world through music-triggered recollections.

Studies have also shown that enjoying music that is recognizable and well-loved can help in lowering anxiety levels and enhance focus on the current moment, which in turn helps older adults with dementia connect to those around them. At Regency Home Care, Atlanta, GA, our purpose is always to improve the quality of life for the elderly with the in-home care services and support they need and the friendly, thoughtful, and skilled senior care staff they desire. And, we go the extra mile, whether it’s big things like dementia treatment or just the little things that can be done to brighten up the days of those we serve. Contact us today to learn more.